WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.640 frame. Now, again, can you turn in your Bibles or your device, if you have, 00:00:11.240 --> 00:00:17.559 to John's Gospel, chapter 2, and we're going to read from verse 13 to 22. 00:00:19.019 --> 00:00:25.719 We're asking the question, who is Jesus? Looking at these seven signs that John chooses to record 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:32.640 in his Gospel. So, we come to the second of these signs, which is Jesus clearing the temple. 00:00:33.640 --> 00:00:40.840 So, John chapter 2, and at verse 13. When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:47.980 Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts, he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, 00:00:47.980 --> 00:00:55.480 and others sitting at tables, exchanging money. So, he made a whip out of cords and drove all from 00:00:55.479 --> 00:01:00.259 the temple courts, both sheep and cattle. He scattered the coins of the money changers and 00:01:00.259 --> 00:01:06.979 overturned their tables. To those who sold doves, he said, get these out of here. Stop turning my 00:01:06.979 --> 00:01:12.900 father's house into a market. His disciples remembered that it is written, zeal for your 00:01:12.900 --> 00:01:20.039 house will consume me. The Jews then responded to him, what sign can you show us to prove your 00:01:20.040 --> 00:01:26.160 authority to do all this? Jesus answered them, destroy this temple, and I will raise it again 00:01:26.160 --> 00:01:34.180 in three days. They replied, it has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you're going to raise 00:01:34.180 --> 00:01:41.080 it in three days? But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, 00:01:41.700 --> 00:01:48.740 his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scriptures and the words that Jesus had 00:01:48.739 --> 00:02:00.439 spoken. Amen. And we'll leave our reading there. There are times in history when barriers have 00:02:00.439 --> 00:02:07.119 separated families. One example was the Berlin Wall. We thought about that a little last week. 00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:14.800 Another example was the demilitarized zone that was established after the Korean War between North 00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:24.180 and South Korea. And that zone and the Berlin Wall effectively divided in a moment hundreds of 00:02:24.180 --> 00:02:34.420 thousands of family members from one another. I was reminded this week of the government deals that 00:02:34.420 --> 00:02:41.380 went on in recent years between North and South Korea, moving towards bringing some of these families 00:02:41.379 --> 00:02:51.539 together. I think the last time it happened was maybe 2018, when 89 Korean families were reunited for the 00:02:51.539 --> 00:03:02.659 first time in 68 years. Children and parents spending some time together just for three days. And one father, 00:03:03.120 --> 00:03:09.900 as he was expressing his thoughts on it, he said, tears came before anything. The moment we met, 00:03:09.900 --> 00:03:18.980 tears rolled down. Can you imagine 68 years? This barrier that separates families. 00:03:20.340 --> 00:03:26.340 Then a very real sense takes us to the second sign of Jesus. When he is clearing and replacing 00:03:26.340 --> 00:03:34.400 the temple, he is proclaiming to Gentile people, to us today, if we're not Jewish, 00:03:34.400 --> 00:03:43.420 that we can have access to God. That faith in this Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, 00:03:43.420 --> 00:03:53.900 brings us hope of a joyful reunion with God as our Father. And not just for three days, 00:03:54.900 --> 00:04:02.180 but to enter into a loving relationship that lasts for this life and into eternity. 00:04:02.180 --> 00:04:11.760 This is a profound sign, and it's good news for each one of us today. So, let's get right into it. Let's 00:04:11.760 --> 00:04:21.480 notice how Jesus clears the temple. In contrast to the fairly, I suppose, quiet sign of Jesus turning 00:04:21.480 --> 00:04:28.840 water into wine, this is an extremely public and extremely dramatic sign. What do we read Jesus doing 00:04:28.839 --> 00:04:36.799 in verse 15 and 16? He makes that whip to drive out the animals? He's turning over tables. There's money 00:04:36.799 --> 00:04:44.699 scattering everywhere. And why is Jesus doing it? Verse 17, the disciples understand his motivation, 00:04:45.299 --> 00:04:55.559 zeal, passion for God's house, for his Father's house. That's why he clears out this part of the temple. 00:04:55.560 --> 00:05:03.600 So, we need to ask ourselves, why is it that Jesus would get so worked up that this zeal would erupt 00:05:03.600 --> 00:05:10.740 within him? And so, to help us to get there, to the point of the clearing of the temple, we're going to 00:05:10.740 --> 00:05:21.579 go via some cones and a carnival and some cloud. We'll see where we're going in a moment. Cones, 00:05:21.579 --> 00:05:30.839 which speak of no access. Where is all this taking place? Verse 13, Jesus has gone up to Jerusalem, 00:05:31.359 --> 00:05:39.639 and he's now in the temple court. So, the temple, large, very large structure, had an outer area 00:05:39.639 --> 00:05:46.159 where non-Jewish people could worship. So, Gentiles could come to that place, and they could worship. 00:05:46.160 --> 00:05:52.580 That was always God's plan and design. God's plan was to bring blessing, that Jesus would be good 00:05:52.580 --> 00:05:59.400 news for all nations. God says through Isaiah, it'd be too small a thing for Jesus just to be 00:05:59.400 --> 00:06:04.680 Savior for some people. He needs to be a Savior for all peoples, for all nations. And so, there was 00:06:04.680 --> 00:06:11.000 provision there in the temple. Now, let's picture ourselves for a moment as a first-century pilgrim. 00:06:11.000 --> 00:06:19.139 We have perhaps traveled hundreds of miles from another country. We've heard of the God of Israel, 00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:23.920 and we believe he is the true God. And so, at great cost to ourselves, perhaps with great danger, 00:06:24.220 --> 00:06:29.240 we are making our way to the temple in order to worship. But when we get there, what do we find? 00:06:30.480 --> 00:06:35.800 We find a marketplace instead of a place of worship. So, what's going on there? 00:06:35.800 --> 00:06:43.520 For someone who was coming to worship at Passover time, or for any of the great festivals, it was 00:06:43.520 --> 00:06:49.639 necessary that you brought an animal sacrifice with you. But recognizing that it was a really hard 00:06:49.639 --> 00:06:56.580 thing to bring an animal a journey of some distance, there was a service provided for worshipers, 00:06:56.879 --> 00:07:03.040 that you could come to Jerusalem and you could buy an animal there for sacrifice. And that was okay. 00:07:03.040 --> 00:07:08.500 That was a provision for worshipers. And then there's the bit about the money changers. So, again, 00:07:08.939 --> 00:07:13.640 people would come to Jerusalem from all the four corners of the nation, and they would all have their 00:07:13.640 --> 00:07:20.340 own distinct coinage, different currencies. But you had to pay a temple tax. So, you'd come from 00:07:20.340 --> 00:07:25.540 north, south, east, west, you would come. A money changer would make sure that you had the right 00:07:25.540 --> 00:07:31.160 exchange, you could bring the appropriate temple tax in. And again, that was a service to worshipers. 00:07:31.160 --> 00:07:37.320 So, there's no problem with that. The problem is where it's all happening. It's all about location. 00:07:38.800 --> 00:07:45.180 So, previously, if this is where the temple was within the city, all the action would be taking 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:50.140 place on a hill on the other side. You'd deal with your tax issues, and you'd find your animal over 00:07:50.140 --> 00:07:55.240 here, and then you'd go into Jerusalem. But now, probably for convenience, the market has moved right 00:07:55.240 --> 00:08:04.480 inside the temple courts. So, you're the first century Gentile worshiper, and it's as if you find 00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:14.379 the temple has been coned off to you. It's as if you find a no-access sign across the road. Now, if you 00:08:14.379 --> 00:08:19.120 have spent any time in Edinburgh, especially as a driver, you will know that this is something we are 00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:27.540 very familiar with. No access, no entry signs. And it's frustrating. Of course, it is. But it's not a 00:08:27.540 --> 00:08:35.240 big deal. There's usually another way. But to say no access to the temple at the heart of Jerusalem 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:44.279 is massive. Because you're effectively saying, you cannot now meet with God. You cannot enter into 00:08:44.279 --> 00:08:51.899 God's presence. And that matters because you and I were made for that. We were made to know God 00:08:51.899 --> 00:08:59.959 personally. So, Jesus comes and He clears His Father's house so that you and I might know God as Father. 00:09:01.860 --> 00:09:07.799 That by putting our faith in the Lord Jesus, we would know and enjoy this relationship that we 00:09:07.799 --> 00:09:18.399 were made for. Let's move from the cones to the idea of carnival. Again, for the last couple of weeks, 00:09:18.699 --> 00:09:21.879 maybe if you've walked to church through the meadows, if you've been through the meadows, 00:09:21.959 --> 00:09:27.159 you'll have noticed the American carnival is on. And if you come back to church this evening and walk 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:31.979 through the meadows, it's really, really noisy, which is not surprising. There's lots of people, 00:09:32.099 --> 00:09:36.500 there's excitement, there's whooping, there's cheering. It's fun over there. But if we were to bring 00:09:36.500 --> 00:09:44.440 that atmosphere into church, well, it would be a disaster for worship, wouldn't it? But that's 00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:49.559 exactly what's happening in verse 14. Picture the scene. People are coming to worship, but what do 00:09:49.559 --> 00:09:54.000 they meet? They meet people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging 00:09:54.000 --> 00:10:00.580 money. Come to the temple and you want to pray. You're hearing sheep bleating. You're hearing an auction 00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:07.960 going on. You want to hear God's words being read and taught. You can't hear anything over this huge 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:16.340 racket. And so Jesus clears the temple because of the mess of this temple sacrifice system is not 00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:26.140 letting people worship God. Remember his motivation in verse 17, zeal for your house, passion for God's 00:10:26.140 --> 00:10:30.160 house and passion for God's glory. The disciples see what Jesus is doing and they connect it with Psalm 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:36.480 69. And they connect it with King David. King David, in his day, he was really passionate for God's 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:44.559 glory, for God's house. And so he stood for God and that meant that David often, you read Psalm 69, 00:10:44.679 --> 00:10:50.339 you find that he often was then despised by people, rejected by people, which of course anticipates what 00:10:50.339 --> 00:10:57.579 will happen to Jesus as he becomes the suffering servant. But think about the transformation. 00:10:57.580 --> 00:11:07.960 So now, same first century Gentile worshiper approaches the temple. Now there's quiet. Now 00:11:07.960 --> 00:11:15.000 there's an opportunity to hear from God, to meet with God, to worship God and to give God glory. 00:11:15.639 --> 00:11:22.720 Clearing the temple is a big deal. Because one of the central commands that God gives to all people 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:32.399 is that we worship Him. That we give God the honor that He is due. Because He created us. Because He 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:39.800 rules over us. Because He will judge us. And because He has acted in Jesus to save us. And so we discover 00:11:39.800 --> 00:11:45.600 that Jesus is passionate that you and I worship God and worship God properly. 00:11:45.600 --> 00:11:54.360 Let's move from the carnival to think about clouds. And again, if you've spent any time in Edinburgh, 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:59.399 you will know this is a common feature. So on Thursday, so one of the things I like to do when 00:11:59.399 --> 00:12:03.540 I can find some time is to go up. So we live quite near Blackford Hill. I like to go up Blackford Hill 00:12:03.540 --> 00:12:07.420 because it's a brilliant place to pray for the city. Because from there, you can see everything 00:12:07.419 --> 00:12:15.539 on a good day. So on Thursday afternoon, I went up to Blackford Hill expecting to have these sort of 00:12:15.539 --> 00:12:19.519 reminders of here's these different types of people and different areas to pray for. But 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:28.779 what happened? The cloud rolled in. The har rolled in. Visibility was zero. It was a wasted journey. 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:39.120 Well, in verse 13, just to remind ourselves when this is happening, we are told by John writing his 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:46.600 gospel that it was almost time for the Jewish Passover. So the Jewish Passover was one of the 00:12:46.600 --> 00:12:54.839 great, the great religious feast for the people of God. It was a time of great thankfulness. As they 00:12:54.840 --> 00:13:00.560 looked back to the story of the book of Exodus, as they looked back to God through Moses, through the 00:13:00.560 --> 00:13:06.440 plagues, showing his glory over Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt and setting them free to become 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:12.600 the people of God. And they looked back to the Passover and the Passover lamb, recognizing with 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:19.980 thankfulness that God had made a way that his judgment might pass over his people and fall on the lamb 00:13:19.980 --> 00:13:26.759 instead. They looked with thankfulness, recognizing that the price for their freedom was paid, and that 00:13:26.759 --> 00:13:34.019 price was the blood of the lamb. And so this festival that people were coming to was a clear indicator of 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:39.600 God's plan of redemption. But what's happening, because there's all this chaos in the courtyard, 00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:46.580 it's almost as if that good news is going to be clouded over. How can you see God's purpose when 00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:53.040 it's just a marketplace and it's manic? This vision of the good news of the Lord Jesus as Savior 00:13:53.040 --> 00:14:02.200 is in danger of being lost, and so he comes to clear the temple. In chapter 1 at verse 29, 00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:08.180 Jesus is introduced by John the Baptist as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 00:14:09.280 --> 00:14:15.700 Ultimately, Jesus wants people to look at him and to recognize he is what the Passover points forward to. 00:14:16.580 --> 00:14:25.960 So in this sign, what are we getting? As Jesus clears the temple, we're getting a glimpse into the heart of Jesus. 00:14:27.680 --> 00:14:36.440 We're getting indicators. What motivates his mission? We're getting an indication of three priorities 00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:48.880 priorities for all of us here today. The priority that we might draw near to God, that we could have access to the living God. 00:14:50.360 --> 00:14:55.540 The priority that we worship God in the right way and give him the glory he deserves. 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:59.719 And that we would see the need for sacrifice 00:14:59.719 --> 00:15:06.980 as a way of escaping God's judgment and enjoying freedom and new life with him. 00:15:07.299 --> 00:15:12.759 And wonderfully, what Jesus points forward to in this clearing, he also promises 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:17.860 when he says he is the true temple. 00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:28.399 So Jesus clears the temple, but then he says he replaces the temple. And this takes us to verses 18 to 22. 00:15:29.560 --> 00:15:38.100 We said last week that the symbolism of the water being turned to wine was a clash of the old era of the Jewish religion 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:42.759 and the new era of Jesus bringing in the kingdom of God. 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:52.259 And it was as significant and more so than when the Berlin Wall came down and communism began to collapse. 00:15:52.259 --> 00:16:03.240 Well, what we see again is King Jesus, as it were, taking a sledgehammer to the temple system, 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:12.139 which is being corrupted and is not pointing people towards Jesus and is not leading them into true worship. 00:16:15.319 --> 00:16:21.939 He's met with cynicism and skepticism. At this early stage, we see the beginnings of opposition to Jesus. 00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:28.540 In verse 18, the Jews responded, what sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this? 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:31.880 Who do you think you are, Jesus? What gives you the right? 00:16:32.940 --> 00:16:41.420 And the sign that he points to, destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days. 00:16:41.640 --> 00:16:44.220 A temple destroyed and raised in three days. 00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:47.680 No one gets it. 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:51.640 Verse 20, those listening, those Jews listening, they don't get it. 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.779 They're thinking physical temple. 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:54.679 They're thinking, this building's magnificent. 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:55.919 It took 46 years. 00:16:56.439 --> 00:17:00.460 Jesus, it's impossible for you to tear this down and raise it in three days. 00:17:01.699 --> 00:17:06.799 The disciples, they don't get it at the time either, but there is a time when they will understand. 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:12.740 Verse 21, the temple Jesus had spoken of was his body. 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:15.539 So John, our gospel writer, he gets it. 00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:21.119 After Jesus was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he'd said. 00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:25.720 Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:27.480 They get it. 00:17:27.539 --> 00:17:28.420 They get the point. 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.240 They get the sign. 00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:30.079 And what is the sign? 00:17:30.399 --> 00:17:33.480 Jesus' body is the true temple. 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:38.139 Jesus fulfills what the temple represented. 00:17:38.140 --> 00:17:46.100 And Jesus then is making three promises about himself as the true temple. 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:51.380 That stands as a reminder to you and me today that Jesus must be at the center of our life, 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:55.440 at the center of our faith, and the center of our church. 00:17:57.320 --> 00:18:01.120 First thing Jesus is saying about himself is that Jesus is the one who gives access. 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:02.220 He. 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:05.039 He is how we draw near to God. 00:18:06.120 --> 00:18:09.880 So Jesus is doing nothing less than sparking a revolution in worship here. 00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:15.960 As he reveals that meeting God is no longer going to be tied to a place, not tied to the temple. 00:18:17.120 --> 00:18:23.980 Now it's going to be tied to a person, to the person of Jesus, the Son of God who is Emmanuel, 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:29.880 God who is with us, the God who is present, the God who draws near. 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:33.640 And this point is made very dramatically. 00:18:33.820 --> 00:18:35.580 So this is the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. 00:18:35.680 --> 00:18:40.300 It's made very dramatically at the end, when Jesus died on the cross. 00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:43.000 So Jesus dies on a hill outside of Jerusalem. 00:18:43.100 --> 00:18:45.200 But what happens inside the temple? 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:52.240 At the same time as Jesus dies, the great curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. 00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:56.380 As if God the Father is announcing judgment on the temple. 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:58.700 Don't come and find me in this place. 00:18:58.700 --> 00:19:04.920 You need to meet me in Jesus, my Son whose body was torn in two for my people. 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:11.700 There is that great announcement that Jesus is the one who gives access. 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:15.819 So there's no need for pilgrimage for us anymore. 00:19:17.120 --> 00:19:21.039 It's a wonderful promise that Jesus comes to live in our hearts by faith, by his Spirit. 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:25.400 Jesus never leaves, never abandons his people. 00:19:25.400 --> 00:19:30.080 And this access and this privilege isn't just for some. 00:19:31.300 --> 00:19:32.540 This is open to all. 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:36.720 All can know Jesus, Creator and King. 00:19:36.860 --> 00:19:44.480 All can have the privilege of calling God our Father in heaven if we come to Jesus in faith. 00:19:44.480 --> 00:19:49.140 Binds us together as the global church. 00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:50.279 Wonderful promise. 00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:55.259 Our faith in Jesus makes us brothers and sisters with people all around the world. 00:19:56.700 --> 00:20:01.140 Remember Jesus described the temple in verse 16 as my Father's house. 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:07.600 Our Father, holy, eternal God, by ourselves. 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:10.580 We have no right to access his house. 00:20:10.620 --> 00:20:11.520 But who is Jesus? 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.680 Jesus is the Son. 00:20:13.120 --> 00:20:16.060 And with Jesus, he has the key. 00:20:16.280 --> 00:20:21.240 He is the key to open the door and to bring us in, all the way in, 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:24.720 to our Father's presence and to life with him. 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:27.400 It's the goal of the temple. 00:20:28.860 --> 00:20:31.420 Not just that people would have an hour of worship, 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:36.019 but that we'd live all our lives knowing and enjoying relationship with God. 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:37.819 And this isn't just for now. 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:43.900 Again, you can turn to John 14 and think about the words of comfort that Jesus brought to his disciples. 00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:48.279 When they knew, the night before Jesus would go to the cross, 00:20:48.700 --> 00:20:49.860 Jesus wanted to bring comfort. 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:50.440 What does he say? 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:54.100 He says, my Father's house has many rooms. 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:58.940 If that were not so, would I have told you that I'm going there to prepare a place for you? 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:04.320 And if I go and prepare a place, I will come back and bring you to be with me, 00:21:04.360 --> 00:21:06.580 that you might be where I am. 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:15.200 Heaven is our Father's house, and Jesus has made a way for us to go there. 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:20.860 So, if you're here today and you're seeking God, 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:25.380 you're here today and you want to know God better, 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:28.100 what do we need to do? 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:30.200 We need to trust in Jesus. 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:31.940 We need to come to Jesus. 00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:38.880 To know him is to know his Father and to have access to him. 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:46.920 Next thing we can say is that Jesus is teaching us that worship is Jesus-centered. 00:21:48.560 --> 00:21:53.920 So, again, I think there's important imagery for the people in the Old Testament. 00:21:54.060 --> 00:21:58.920 If you remember that when they came out of Egypt and there was the tabernacle that was constructed 00:21:58.920 --> 00:22:02.880 where God was said to dwell, and that dwelled in the midst of them, 00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:07.260 and then the temple was built, and the temple was at the center of the life of Jerusalem. 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:08.799 What was that saying? 00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:12.879 It was saying that everybody needs God at the center. 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:18.319 We need God at the center of our lives, God to be directing our will, our obedience, our loves. 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:27.619 But the problem then, the problem now, is that because of sin we worship in the wrong way. 00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:31.740 We are all made as worshipers. 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:35.660 We are all made to worship the one true and living God. 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:39.540 But because of sin, our worship gets misdirected. 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:44.600 There will always be someone or something that we are looking to say, 00:22:44.800 --> 00:22:46.600 this is the thing that gives me meaning. 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:49.340 This is what's going to shape my identity. 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:51.640 This is the one thing I can't imagine life without. 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:56.100 And that takes on so many different forms, depending who we are. 00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:57.620 For some people, it's a job. 00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:59.019 For other people, it's a football team. 00:22:59.380 --> 00:23:02.980 Some people, it's our expertise or our bank balance or our families. 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:07.059 But the point is, our lives will always revolve around something. 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:17.640 And if that something is not Jesus, then we are robbing God of glory and we're robbing ourselves of our deepest joy. 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:21.720 We have not put first things first. 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:28.200 We've made a good thing into a God thing. 00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:30.519 What the Bible calls idolatry. 00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:37.460 And the other problem with our worship, and we see it here especially in this text, 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:41.140 is that we often perhaps even find ourselves trying to worship God, 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:44.680 but we can do it in the wrong way. 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:48.480 Again, our sin can get in the way. 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:54.559 Two things on that have practical implications for how we do church. 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:59.160 One is that we always want our worship to be guided by the Bible. 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:04.700 We want to do in worship what God instructs us to do. 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:10.480 We don't want to be guided by our culture or cultural trends. 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:14.839 Because the important thing is that God is honored, that God has given glory. 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:17.140 And so we want to be directed by the Word of God. 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:22.559 But it also makes it essential that our worship is Jesus-centered. 00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:25.700 That it's gospel-centered. 00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:32.819 That we are always presenting the good news of salvation that is found through faith in Jesus. 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:43.039 That the message of the cross and the resurrection is central to our life and identity as a local church. 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:46.720 That the uniqueness of Jesus is something we declare and defend. 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:53.779 That He is the Son of God who became one of us in order to die as that substitute. 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:57.919 And that sacrifice, paying the price for our sins to bring us to God. 00:24:57.920 --> 00:25:01.980 And we must defend and declare that as a church. 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:08.759 It's important for us to recognize how important worship is to Jesus. 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:12.660 It's what motivated the temple clearing. 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:14.779 What is He doing there? 00:25:14.820 --> 00:25:17.759 He's effectively making sure that the noise is cancelled out. 00:25:17.840 --> 00:25:21.380 That the din, the stuff that's getting in the way is removed. 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:23.940 So that people might meet with God. 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:26.940 And that is what Jesus would do for us today. 00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:29.180 That's what He wants for us. 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:34.400 That we would worship God with all of our hearts, with all of our lives. 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:36.200 That's what we should pray for others. 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:37.960 What we should pray for ourselves. 00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:39.600 To get rid of so much noise. 00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:43.660 So that we can hear from and meet with God. 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:52.660 Last lesson that we will get from this is that Jesus is the true temple. 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:56.720 And Jesus also makes the ultimate sacrifice. 00:25:58.120 --> 00:26:01.779 So remember in this temple clearing, Jesus is showing what life is meant to be about. 00:26:01.880 --> 00:26:03.980 That we are made to know and to give God glory. 00:26:04.580 --> 00:26:07.100 We are made to enjoy His presence and worship Him. 00:26:07.160 --> 00:26:10.420 But the problem, the problem is our hearts. 00:26:10.540 --> 00:26:12.360 The problem is our sin. 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:21.819 That there is a barrier between us and a holy God that is bigger and more hard to penetrate than the Berlin Wall. 00:26:21.899 --> 00:26:22.839 That we buy ourselves. 00:26:22.919 --> 00:26:24.359 We could never break it down. 00:26:24.439 --> 00:26:24.939 What do we need? 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:27.059 We need God to break it down. 00:26:27.119 --> 00:26:28.500 We need God to change us. 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:29.699 To clean us. 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.599 To forgive us. 00:26:30.939 --> 00:26:32.539 And that was the point of the sacrifices. 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:37.899 That's why whenever they came to the temple, they brought sacrifices. 00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:39.279 And here's the good news. 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:41.599 Jesus is the true temple. 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:47.059 And in the temple of His body, Jesus makes the ultimate sacrifice. 00:26:50.399 --> 00:26:53.619 Jesus is the Passover lamb. 00:26:53.619 --> 00:27:00.220 The judgment falls on Jesus that we deserve so that it does not fall on us. 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:09.259 Our freedom is secured because Jesus is the Lamb of God whose blood is shed to cover our sin. 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:12.160 To make things right between us and God. 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:17.420 Sometimes the heart of our faith can get clouded over, can't it? 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:21.740 Sometimes it can get lost sight of. 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:25.400 Even within the church, but certainly outside of the church. 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.900 All kinds of misconceptions. 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:28.039 It gets clouded over. 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:32.059 The Christian faith is not about being good or being religious. 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:35.299 It's not about social justice or being a good neighbor. 00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:37.279 Though those are all really important. 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:41.899 The heart of our faith is John 1.29. 00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:45.079 Behold Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:47.099 It's John 3.16. 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:52.059 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:55.039 shall not perish but have eternal life. 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:59.940 Jesus is doing a profound thing in clearing the temple. 00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:03.180 A really remarkable thing in replacing the temple. 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:06.700 He's given this sign that you and I, through Jesus, can know God personally. 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:10.519 That through Jesus we can worship God properly. 00:28:11.659 --> 00:28:14.319 Because Jesus has come to take our sins penalty. 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:22.319 Can you imagine how that would have changed the lives of those first century Gentile pilgrims 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:25.359 as they were able to come to God? 00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:31.819 It remains great news for each one of us today. 00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:41.299 So, as we move to a close, let's think very briefly, how should we respond to this great sign? 00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:46.899 Well, remember John tells us why he writes each of these signs. 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:49.159 John 20, verse 31. 00:28:49.160 --> 00:28:56.920 These are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, the Son of God, 00:28:57.500 --> 00:29:02.680 and that by believing you may have life in His name. 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:08.600 Believe in Jesus and come to know life. 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:12.120 That's our first and primary response. 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:20.379 Let me suggest another response to this is that we should think about in our lives, 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:24.139 how can we cut out some noise for ourselves? 00:29:26.919 --> 00:29:33.279 Maybe check our diary, check our schedule, reflect on our phone and internet habits. 00:29:34.479 --> 00:29:37.559 Am I making room to meet with God? 00:29:38.939 --> 00:29:41.059 To hear from God in His Word? 00:29:42.119 --> 00:29:43.459 To pray to God? 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:51.119 Are there changes that I can make so that I can enjoy that one privilege that ultimately I am made for, 00:29:51.239 --> 00:29:54.059 to know and to be in the presence of my Father? 00:29:56.939 --> 00:29:58.479 And the last response, 00:30:01.159 --> 00:30:04.879 the response of our hearts is that we would enjoy worship. 00:30:05.679 --> 00:30:07.979 Not just on Sunday mornings and Sunday evenings, though, 00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:10.719 that that is obviously an important part of this, 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:13.240 but that all of our lives, 00:30:13.640 --> 00:30:16.420 we would live with that incredible privilege. 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:18.980 I know God. 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:21.500 When I pray, God hears me. 00:30:23.059 --> 00:30:25.539 When I read the Word of God, He speaks to me. 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:29.200 He has built me into His family here on earth. 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:33.180 But I get to enjoy His love moment by moment. 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:38.900 That we get to meet with God is the great privilege of our lives. 00:30:38.900 --> 00:30:43.440 So let's ask God for help to truly enjoy that privilege. 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:48.019 And let's close by looking forward. 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:51.460 Let's close by anticipating what's still to come. 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:55.000 In the book of Revelation, Revelation chapter 21, 00:30:55.580 --> 00:30:59.000 we have this wonderful, beautiful image of the new heaven and the new earth. 00:30:59.080 --> 00:31:00.920 You get the picture of the wedding. 00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:03.240 Jesus and His bride, the church, 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:08.759 now united together forever in a world set free of sin and curse. 00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:13.200 And in verse 22 of Revelation 21, 00:31:14.200 --> 00:31:15.059 we are told, 00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:18.599 I did not see a temple in the city 00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:23.299 because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 00:31:24.299 --> 00:31:26.400 In the new heavens and the new earth, 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:28.640 there will be no temple. 00:31:28.819 --> 00:31:29.240 Why? 00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:32.160 Because the temple was only ever a sign 00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:34.720 pointing to a greater reality. 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:39.360 That reality that God would be present with His people. 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:42.200 And in eternity for the people of God, 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:44.640 that sign becomes permanent reality. 00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:47.420 God will live among us 00:31:47.420 --> 00:31:51.180 and we will enjoy life together with Him. 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:54.160 So Jesus and His sign in John 2, 00:31:55.120 --> 00:31:56.200 He's preparing us. 00:31:57.160 --> 00:32:01.160 He's preparing us for a glorious reality still to come. 00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:02.339 Let's pray.